Molecular detection and risk factors associated with potentially zoonotic enteric protozoa infecting synanthropic macaques (Macaca fascicularis) In the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia

Goh, Kai Shin (2023) Molecular detection and risk factors associated with potentially zoonotic enteric protozoa infecting synanthropic macaques (Macaca fascicularis) In the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Synanthropic macaques are known to inhabit a wide range of natural and peridomestic habitats, thus increasing human-macaque interface. These macaques are efficient reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium and Giardia are divergent enteric protozoal parasites infecting a wide host range including non-human primates and humans, with potential of zoonotic transmission. In spite of their public health importance, there is a dearth of published information on the prevalence and epidemiological risk factors of these parasites in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of enteric protozoans in local free-ranging Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), and to elucidate the associated risk factors for infection. Eighty-seven archived faecal samples collected from M. fascicularis inhabiting Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR amplification targeting the 18SrRNA gene of Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Amplicons were sequenced and subjected to bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses using the Maximum Likelihood and Neighbour Joining algorithms. All three enteric protozoa were detected in the macaques, whereby Cryptosporidium was the most prevalent (16.09%), followed by Blastocystis (14.94%) and Giardia (12.64%). Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the infections with Blastocystis were significantly associated with habitat types, while infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia were not significantly associated with the age, gender and habitat of the macaques. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Blastocystis and Giardia infecting M. fascicularis have close genetic affinities with the human-infective subtypes, and may be potentially zoonotic. This study had successfully revealed that the local free-ranging M. fascicularis inhabiting the urban, rural and agricultural areas harbour zoonotic enteric protozoa and may be potential reservoirs for human infection. It is recommended that local residents and tourists limit their contact with these macaques and maintain hygienic precautions to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission of these parasites.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms. Nordeena Abdul Aziz
Date Deposited:	18 Nov 2024 08:20
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 08:20
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2148

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